For second day, Republicans reject effort to recognize Colin Kaepernick as part of Black History Month
MADISON - Republicans in the state Senate rejected a move Wednesday by black lawmakers to recognize Colin Kaepernick as part of Black History Month — prompting Democrats to oppose a ceremonial resolution that usually gains broad bipartisan support.
The turn of events meant that both of the state's black senators, Lena Taylor and LaTonya Johnson, voted against a measure meant to celebrate Black History Month.
The pair expressed frustration that white legislators excised the National Football League quarterback's name from the long list of those worthy of praise.
"This year all of the sudden for the first time we’ve been told that we have to have permission to determine who we want to honor for Black History Month," Taylor said on the Senate floor. "I have not seen it when we’ve honored any other group, any other thing."
She said white Republicans have maintained "they’re best suited to decide for African-Americans what we should value, who we should honor."
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The Senate vote came a day after a similar fight flared in the Assembly amid GOP opposition to honoring someone who has drawn attention for kneeling during the national anthem to protest the treatment of black people.
GOP senators did not explain their views on the floor of the Senate as Democrats criticized them for four hours for keeping black lawmakers from lauding Kaepernick.
Supporters say Kaepernick is exercising his First Amendment right to protest what he views as racial injustice. Critics say he is denigrating the American flag and American principles.
The plan to honor Kaepernick won initial support from two Senate Republicans — Alberta Darling of River Hills and Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield — but the pair went along with keeping Kaepernick's name off the resolution after their colleagues raised objections.
Kooyenga said he did not believe he had reversed his stance on the resolution.
"It's a procedural vote," he said of his vote to keep Kaepernick's name off the list of those to be honored.
Democratic Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Middleton called the partisan split on the issue "one of the uglier" votes senators have taken.
"There is such a thing as white privilege and we're looking at it right now. We're staring it in the face," he said.
It's the second year in a row the resolution recognizing Black History Month has sparked controversy.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news...effort-recognize-colin-kaepernick/2858616002/